Page 83 of One Unexpected Gift

Sky glanced around the room to see if someone else had come in. Maybe a rabid dog had invaded the home. A burglar. Something to cause the thick tension in the air.

“Guys. She’s not Trish.”

“Should I be insulted?” She set her lemonade on the coffee table and eyed the three brothers.

“Yeah, you should. My brothers owe you an apology.”

“We’re so—”

“No.” Sky held up her hand stopping Logan and Holden. She shifted on the couch, tucking one leg under her and gave Nick her most stern ‘mother’ glare. “I’d like to hear why you reacted the way you did.”

“I didn’t say anything.” Nick took two gulps of his beer, tipping it back until the bottle was empty. “Anyone need a refill?”

When he started to push up off the couch, she slapped her hand on his thigh. “Your face said it all. What did Trish do, and why do you think I’m going to do the same?”

“I’m gonna peace out.” Logan jumped to his feet. “See you in the morning.”

Before he made it two steps, Holden leaped to his feet. “It’s been a long day and we have Mom’s birthday breakfast to prepare for in the morning. Sleep well, you two.”

Camilla stood, arched her perfectly sculpted eyebrow high into her hairline, and then left as well.

When they were alone, Sky dug her fingers into Nick’s thigh.

“Honesty, remember?”

Puffing out a breath of air, he set the empty bottle down and covered her hand with his. “You’re nothing like Trish. Not in any way, shape, or form. If you were, I wouldn’t be... it was a knee-jerk reaction. I’m sorry.”

“I don’t accept your apology until you tell me what you’re apologizing for.”

“I feel bad for Gabriella and the first time she tries to pull something over you.” He rubbed the back of her hand and then played with her fingers, keeping his gaze locked on his actions instead of her. “A few months before the wedding, I caught Trish in Holden’s bed.”

“Holy shit. I had no idea. I would have never guessed there was bad blood between you and your brother.”

“Oh, there isn’t. He wasn’t in his bed. He wasn’t even in Austin at the time, but Trish didn’t know that. I went into his room to borrow his belt. She didn’t know it was me and... said some things. I won’t go into the specifics, but she carried on like she was trying to talk Holden into an affair.”

“I’m sorry, Nick. I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions.” She’d been doing that since they first met, and she could read the pain it caused him. Flipping her hand over, she curled her fingers with his. “You’re too forgiving. Too good. I can’t believe you still married her after that.”

“Oh, I had my share of faults. She blamed her stupidity on too much alcohol and me not being around much, physically and emotionally. I didn’t feel like going through the drama of canceling a wedding, so I shrugged it off.”

“There’s no excuse for cheating. If she had issues with your relationship, she should have talked to you about it, not slept around. It must be hard for you to trust someone. I understand your reaction to what I said, and I’m sorry. I was only teasing, in poor taste, apparently. I’m not perfect but I’ve never cheated on anyone and never would. Not that we’re... I mean... just, you know.”

She slipped her hand free and stood. There she went again, making assumptions that she and Nick were together. While they’d shared some hot and steamy kisses, not once had he mentioned anything about a commitment or relationship with her, just with Gabby.

“It’s late and I have no idea how long Gabby will sleep in a new place.” She’d gone down easy, drunk on milk, but Sky worried she’d be up all night and wake the house.

Not that they’d hear her. The upstairs was massive. Even with Holden’s bedroom across from Nick’s, the doors were made of heavy, solid wood, and the plush carpeted rooms would absorb much of the sound. Travis and Isabella’s master suite was downstairs so at least they wouldn’t be disturbed.

“Okay.” He guided her up the curved staircase to the second floor, his hand caressed her lower back. “Do you want to sleep with the door open so I can hear if you need anything?” he asked outside the bedroom door.

“I don’t want Gabby to wake anyone. We’ll be okay.”

“You sure?”

“I’ve been doing this alone for eight weeks now. I’ll be fine.”

Nick traced her jawline with the tip of his finger. He did that a lot, touched her just to touch her.

“I know, but you don’t have to.”

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